Cigar-making machine



April 8, 1952 Filed Jan. 24, 1949 Eig Z A. L. PETRI CIGAR MAKING MACHINE 11i-g. 2- y Il @www 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR.

ALBERT L. PETR/ ,57m/WMM. v

ATTORNEYS April 8, 1952 A, PTR! 2,592,065

CIGAR MAKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2y INVENTOR. AALHEIN L. PET/Pl @oy/@44.) '777% r ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STAT PATENT OFFICE 2,592,065 CIGAR-MAKING MACHINEy Application January 24, 1949, Serial No. 72,447

(c1. isi-52) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for making cigars, and more particularly to a construction for uniformly bunching, shaping and Wrapping cigars of the Toscani or stogie type.

Cigar making machines are very old in the art and most of them utilize some type of exible apron, a loop of which is carried across a head plate to form a straight bunch holding the filler together by a binder. The bunch is later shaped by separate mechanism to the desired shape and then rolled with the Wrapper to conform to its shape. However, it has been found that the .prior art machines have certain disadvantages, one of the most important of these is a lack of means to maintain the flexible apron in a tightly stretched condition during the forming operation, and particularly when the cigar formed is not of uniform diameter over its full length such as Toscani cigar or stogie cigar, which contains no binder. In this case, the head plate and roller are normally made concave to obtain a proper shape and this, together with the shape of the cigar itself, causes the flexible apron to bunch or Wrinkle at the ends and prevent the formation of a smooth, tightly Wrapped cigar and to maintain the filler in the cigar straight.

i The present invention is specifically designed to overcome these diiculties, and is arranged to operate automatically. In the first place, there is provided a roller arranged for partial rotation Which is attached to one end of the apron to provide the varying tensions to conform with the concave roller during the forming operation. It is arranged to be operated in order to provide a slack, loose apron While the ller material is being inserted and to automatically apply uniform tension across the Width of the apron and to take up the slack during the forming and rolling to eliminate the apron from Wrinkling or buckling at the ends.

In the case of a concave head plate a uniform tension on the apron is additionally assured by the use of a convexly formed lip on the for- Ward end of the head plate over which the apron passes.

The shape of the head plate is such that if a uniform tension Were attempted by roller or other means, the central section of the apron would remain loose allowing the end of the apron to curl ahead causing the apron to Wrinkle even While its edges Were taut. The provision of the convex lip overcomes this dificulty by itself taking up the slack in a non-uniform manner across the apron and thus insures a uniformly light, un-Wrinkled apron during the forming operation.

Thus, one of the objects of the invention is a cigar forming machine provided with means for maintaining the required even tautness across the width of the apron during both the bunching and forming operations.

Another object of the invention is automatic means on a cigar forming machine for regulating the proper tension across the width of the apron during the bunching and forming operations.

Still another object of the invention is a cigar making machine having a tension regulating means for regulating the apron and which means is positively connected with the forming mechamsm.

Yet another object of the invention is a convex lip mounted on the concave head plate of the cigar making machine for regulating and insuring a uniform tension across the width of the apron.

And still another object of the invention is a cigar making machine having a concave head plate provided with a convex lip and automatic means for determining the tension across the Width of the apron.

And still another object of the invention is a cigar making machine having a concave plate provided with a convex lip and a concave roller and automatic means for determining and regulating the tension across the Width of the apron by another concave roller to which one end of the apron is attached, which all together insures a uniform tension across the apron allowing the apron to roll light and unwrinkled during the forming operation.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of th preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. l with the apron sectioned to show the relationship of the various rollers.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view along the lin'es Iii-'f4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig. 4 in which the rocker arms have moved forward to begin the forming operation.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, partially in section.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the head plate.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein can be applied with success to many existing cigar making machines, and particularly to those utilizing a curved head plate for the formation of cigars which are not uniform in diameter. The

preferred form is the one shown in the drawings for the manufacture of Toscani or stogie cigars, but this is intended to be illustrative only, and other and obvious forms will be clear to those skilled in the art.

The preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings is supported on a table-like frame, generally designated I, which frame serves to support not only the cigar forming mechanism, generally designated 2, but the associated driving and control mechanism.

A pair of vertical supports 3 are bolted to the upper surface of frame I by bolts 4 to support a head plate 5 substantially horizontally. A series of bolts 6, positioned at the corners of the head plate secure the same tightly against the supports. Positioned between the supports 3 and underneath the head plate is an opentopped box which, together with the head plate 5, forms an enclosed chamber I just under the head plate. Chamber I is provided with an opening leading to a conduit 8 which is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) for a purpose to be described.

The supports 3 are also provided with opposed bosses 9 which, together with bearings I0, are arranged to support a centrally positioned, horizontal shaft I I which extends outwardly beyond the supports, at each of its ends. Each end of the shaft is keyed to one of a pair of corresponding rocker arms I2, positioned on either side of the headnplate 5.

At the upper end of each of the rocker arms I2 is bearing block I3, adjustable in a direction along the axis of the arm. To provide this adjustment, a pair of set screws I4 may be seated in the arms I2 which are arranged to bear against the under and upper sides of the bearing block I3, as can best be seen in Fig. 3. The bearing blocks are adapted to support the opposite ends of a shaft I5 for rotation, which shaft extends across the upper surface of the head plate, and which supports a roller I5, extending substantially across the head plate 5 and spaced therefrom.

The roller I6 is formed with a concave surface and the concavity of such surface corresponds in a manner to be described, with the concavity of the surface of the head plate 5, over which it is designed to move. Thus, the space between the two, as can be seen in Fig. 3, is approximately the shape of the cigar to be formed.

The upper concave surface of the head plate is also curved convexly in the opposite direction, as may be seen in Figs. ll and 5. As rocker arms I2 are rotated to carry roller I5 across the surface thereof, the roller must always remain spaced an equal distance from the surface of the head plate, and the degree of convexity is thus determined by the position of the axis of shaft II and the length of arms I2.

The concave-convex surface of the head plate 5 is preferably formed with a series of channels, as at I1, extending along the direction of the path of roller I6, as can best be seen in Fig. 2. In the bottom of each of said channels is a series of holes, as at I8, drilled vertically through the head plate and connected with the vacuum chamber therebeneath and for a purpose to be described.

It should also be noted that the forward end of the head plate 5 is formed with a convex lip I9. as may be seen in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, but is best illustrated in the perspective view of the head shown in Fig. 8. This convex lip I9 is made convex in approximately the same degree as the head plate, is concave (as seen in Fig. 3) for a purpose to be described. In practice, such concavity of the head plate and convexity of the lip would be of the order of 1/8 in depth for forming a normal sized stogie cigar.

To provide rotation to shaft I I and the rocker arms keyed thereto, a short link 2D is secured to the shaft by means of set screw 2|. The end of this link is provided with a pin 22 to slidably operate in the slotted end of an arm 23. Arm 23 is freely pivoted on a shaft 24 mounted on bearings 25 positioned on the lower part of the frame I. Arm 23 is also provided with a pin 26, positioned to engage a face cam 2'I provided with a groove, as at 28, to receive pn 26. Cam 21 is secured to a shaft 29 by means of set screws 3) for rotation therewith, the ends of the shaft being supported in bearings 3I mounted on the frame I, and is arranged to be positively driven by a motor or other convenient means, not shown. The groove 23 in face cam 2T has a continuous, irregular path which imparts a rocking motion to arm 23 by means of the follower pin 26. Such rocking motion, in turn, operates to cause arms I2 to rock on shaft II and carry roller I6 back and forth over the head plate 5.

A second cam 33 is also keyed to shaft 24 for rotation therewith, which cam is arranged to engage a pin 34. This pin is mounted on an arm 35, pivoted from a block 35 secured to the frame by bolts 3l. The pin 34 is arranged to engage the cam 33 at its circumference for the major arc of rotation, but the cam is formed with a slot, as at 38, as best seen in Fig. 6, to cause the pin to move radially of the cam during the remaining portion of the period of rotation. The outer end of arm 35 is provided with a weight 39 to cause the pin 34 to fall into slot 38, as cam 33 is rotated.

The head plate is arranged to be covered by a strip of flexible material or apron 40, made of some material which will not normally stretch, such as rubber-covered canvas. One end of the apron is tightly secured across the forward edge of the head plate by means of a metal strip 4I and screws 42. It extends up and over the convex lip I9 and back across the surface of the head plate, over the roller I6, and around a stationary slack roller 43 to which its other end is secured by means of a key 5I.

Roller 43 is also preferably concave in shape in an amount to approximately correspond to the concavity of roller I6. 1n normal practice this concavity is approximately half the concavity of the head plate 5 or, in a normal machine, about g" in depth.

Slack roller 43 is adjustably mounted by means of a set screw 44 on a shaft 45, which is in turn, secured for rotation in a pair of arms 45 secured to supports 3. Shaft 45 also carries at one of its ends a sprocket 41, connected by means of a chain 48 to a second smaller sprocket 49. Sprocket 49 is supported for rotation on a short arm 50 pivoted to the lower end of the frame I on a pin 52. A coil spring 53 is attached to the arm 50 to maintain tension in the chain 48. In addition, the outer pass of the chain 48 is secured by bolt 54 to arm 35 near its outer end.

The apron 40 covering the head plate 5 is provided with a series of perforations, as at 55, and best seen in Fig. 1, over an area substantially the size of the tobacco leaf used to wrap the filler for the cigar. It also is provided with considerable slack, as can be seen in the looped portion in Figs. 4 and 5, for a purpose to be described.

A sprocket 56 is also secured to the shaft 29 and by means of chain 57 drives a second sprocket 53 secured to shaft 24. Thus, a single motor drive serves to operate the entire mechanism.

In operation, the machine is normally in the position shown in Fig. 4, with an open loop of the apron hanging downwardly between the head plate and roller I6, the arms I2 having been rocked to their farthest backward point. In this position the ller tobacco 60 is dropped into the loop in the apron, and the Wrapper leaf 6I placed on the apron at a point over the head plateI Where suction from the chamber "I, acting through the perforations I8, 55 in the head plate and apron respectively, cause it to lie at and smooth against the apron. The leaft 6I is then coated with a binding agent to act as a glue.

As the machine is started in motion, rotation of shaft 29 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 6) will cause arm 23 to move rearwardly and rocker arms I2 to move forward from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 5. As can be seen, the filler material is now completely enclosed in a loop of apron 40, which loop, as roller I E is moved forwardly, follows along directly behind and tending to form the filler into a tubular shape.

At the same time, as this motion begins, rotation of cam 33 causes pin 34 to fall into slot 38, moving arm 35 downwardly. Such motion causes movement in chain 48 and rotates slack roller 43 A in a clockwise direction (Fig. 6) to take up the slack in the apron 4!! at approximately the point illustrated in Fig. 5.

Continued rotation of the cams causes arms I2 to carry roller I6 entirely across the head plate, at the same time causing the wrapper leaf 6I to be tightly secured around the ller 60. At the opposite end of the path of travel, the arms I2 carry the roller I6 beyond the forward edge of the head plate and the loop in apron 40 is en abled to discharge the completed cigar. Continued rotation of the cams causes the arms I2 to return to the position of Fig. 4, with slack in the flexible apron 4I), ready for another operation.

From an inspection of Fig. 6 it can be seen that cams 2l and 33 are arranged so that pin 34 on arm is caused to fall into the slot 38 as the rocker arms I2 begin to pass over the head plate to roll the cigar. This action carries arm 35 downwardly and chain 48 causes a rotation of sprocket 41 and slack roller 43 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 6). This sequence is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, and as rocker arms move from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5, rotation of cam 33 through the above chain of operations takes up the slack in the flexible apron 4 0 so that as the loop passes across the head plate 5, it will form the wrapper leaf BI tightly around the ller 60.

It is obvious that the shape of the roller I6 and the head plate 5 will form a cigar with a large central diameter gradually reduced in sizeto- Ward its ends. But this shape also introduces difficulties into the problem of maintaining a smooth and tightly stretched apron while the rolling operation is in progress. In the first place, because of the increased central diameter of the cigar being rolled, the central section of the belt, in that portion extending from roller I6 to roller 43, is subject to a greater tension. Conversely, the concavity of the head plate causes a greater tension along the edges of the belt in that portionextending from roller I6 toward the lip.v This difficulty has been found to be in large part, 'eliminated by the provision of the concave roller 43 and the convex lip I9 on the head plate 5. The lip with its outwardly extending periphery, as can be seen in Fig. 2, takes up a portion of the slack in the apron 4I), but because of its shape, takes up more of the slack in the center ofthe apron than at its edges and thus causes a more uniform tension in the apron and causes it to lie smoothly against the head plate as the cigar is rolled and formed therealong. In the same manner, the concavity of the rollers permits a slack in the central section of the belt to compensate for the tension introduced by the cigar.

As has been said, the shape of the lip I9 is so chosen relative to the shape of the roller and head .plate that the apron will lie smoothly against the head plate at all points with a substantially uniform tension. Obviously, gif' the head plate and roller are changed in shape to form a different shaped cigar, a corresponding change in the shape of lip I 9 will be required.

The machine has been found to produce a tightly packed, smooth and properly shaped cigar, and wrinkling of the apron is substantially eliminated. Y Slight adjustments in the positioni ing of roller I6 in arms I2 through shifting the position of bearing blocks I4 may be aiected and the overall tension in the apron may be properly adjusted by the angular relationship of slack roller y43 and shaft 45 to which latter the former is secured by set screws 44.

It should further be noted that the success of the machine is due in large part to the relationship between the concavity and convexity of the various units. In general, it may be said that the convexity of the lip and the concavity of ,the head plate are equal and the latter tends to compensate for the looseness of the apron caused by the former. In the same way, the concavity of the two rollers tends to compensate for the tautness introduced into the central section ofthe apron by the enlarged central diameter `'of the cigar being formed. -And further, it has been found that the degree of concavity of the head plate and the convexity of the lip is approximately twice that of the concavity of the two rollers.

I claim:

l. In a cigar forming machine having a head plate and a flexible apron extending acrossv said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a roller engaging the projecting portion of said apron for supporting a loop for tobacco in said portion adjacentone edge of said plate; means supporting said roller for drawingsaid loop over said plate and `for rolling the tobacco therein; and a concave roller in engagement with saidapron for varyingthe tensionon said loop and portion during said movement of said loop.

2. In a cigar forming machine having a head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond sai-:l head plate: a roller engaging the projecting portion of said apron for supporting a loop for tobacco in said portion adjacent one edge of said plateameans supporting said roller for ldrawing said loop over said plate and for rolling the tobacco therein; means including 'a concave roller, to which one end of saidl apron isl secured, forvarying the tension on said loop and portion during movement of said loop. 'I l 8. In a cigar forming machine having a con# cave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a concave roller engaging the projecting portion of said apron for supporting a loop for tobacco in said portion adjacent one edge of said plate; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said plate and for rolling the tobacco therein; and a second concave roller, to which one end of said apron is secured, for applying different longitudinal tensions in said apron at different points transversely of said apron.

4. In a cigar forming machine having a head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a rst roller engaging the projecting portion of said apron for supporting a loop for tobacco in said portion adjacent one edge of said plate; a pair of rocker arms supporting said first roller for carrying said first roller and drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling the tobacco therein; means for supporting and rocking said arms; a concave roller; means supporting said concave roller for rotation; means securing one end of said apron to said concave roller; and means for rotating said concave roller to increase the tension in said apron as said first roller is carried across said head plate.

5. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending transversely across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a rst roller engaging the projecting portion of said apron for supporting a loop for tobacco in said portion adjacent one edge of said plate; a pair of rocker arms supporting said first roller for carrying said iirst roller and drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling the tobacco therein; means for supporting and rocking said arms; a second concave roller; means securing one end of said apron to said second roller for applying different longitudinal tensions in said apron at different points transversely of said apron; and a convex lip formed on one edge of said head plate in transverse engagement with said apron.

6. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a exible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate; a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling tobacco therein; means securing the ends of said apron; and a stationary member sup-ported between said last mentioned means, convexed transversely of said head plate, and in engagement with and extending transversely across said apron to increase the longitudinal tension in the central section of said apron.

'7. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate; a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling tobacco therein; means securing the ends of said apron; and a stationary member, convex in transverse cross-section, supported between said last mentioned means and in engagement with and extending transversely across said apron to increase the longitudinal tension in the central section of said apron, the convexity of said member being in substantial correspondence with the concavity of said head plate.

8. Ina cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate; a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling tobacco therein; means securing the ends of said apron; and a lip formed on one edge of said head plate and convexed transversely thereof in transverse engagement with said apron.

9. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling tobacco therein; means including a second concave roller1 for securing the ends of said apron; and a convex lip formed on one edge of said head plate in transverse engagement with said apron.

10. In a cigar forming machine: a concave head plate; a iiexible apron extending across said head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; a lip formed on one edge of said head plate in transverse engagement with said apron and convexed transversely of said head plate; and means securing the ends of said apron.

l1. In a cigar forming machine: a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; a convex lip formed on one edge cf said head plate in transverse engagementwith said apron; and means including a second concave roller securing the ends of said apron.

12. In a cigar forming machine: a concave head plate; a exible apron extending across said head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; a convex lip formed on one edge of said head plate in transverse engagement with said apron, the convexity of said lip being in substantial correspondence with the concavity of said head plate; and means securing the ends of said apron.

13. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate: a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for rolling tobacco therein; means securing the ends of said apron; and a member on said head plate, convexed transversely thereof, and supported between said last mentioned means and in engagement with and extending transversely across said apron to increase the longitudinal tension in the central section of said apron.

14. In a cigar forming machine having a concave head plate and a flexible apron extending across said head plate and including a portion extending beyond said head plate; a roller having a concave surface; said apron having a looped portion; means supporting said roller for drawing said loop over said head plate and for roliing tobacco therein; means securing the ends of said apron; and a member on said head plate, convex in transverse cross-section, supported between said last mentioned means and in engagement with and extending transversely across said apron to increase the longitudinal tension in the central section of sai-:l apron, ccnvexity oi said member being in substantial correspondence with the concavity of said head plate.

15. In a cigar' forming machine; a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; and stationary means extending trans versely across said plate and convexed transversely thereof and in transverse engagement with said apron and positioned adjacent the for ward end of said plate.

16. In a cigar forming machine; a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said. head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; means securing the ends of said apron at opposite ends ci said plate; and stationary means extending transversely across said plate and convexed transversely thereof and in transverse engagement with said apron and positioned intermediate said last mentioned means.

17. In a cigar forming machine; a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said head plate; a concave roller; means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said plate; means secured to said head plate extending transversely across said plate and convexed transversely thereof and in transverse engagement with said apron.

18. In a cigar forming machine; a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said head plate; said head plate being concave in transverse cross-section; a concave roller, the concavity of said roller he'rg equal to approximately one-half of the concavity o said head plate; and ineens mounting said' roiler for movement back and forth across said head plate; and means securing the ends oi said apron.

19. In a cigar forming machine; a concave head plate; a flexible apron extending across said head plate; said head plate being concave in transverse cross-section; a concave roller, the concavity of said rolle1 being equal to approximately one-half of the concavity of said head plate; and means mounting said roller for movement back and forth across said head plate; and a second concave roller, to which one end of said apron is secured, for applying different longitudinal tensions in said apron at different points transversely of said apron.

ALBERT L. PETRI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 33,604 Reininger Oct. 29, 1861 409,807 Schutz Aug. 27, 1889 514,240 Moonelis Feb. 6, 1894 1,191,592 Hansen July 18, 1916 1,941,192 Stelzer Dec. 26, 1933 2,311,011 Wheeler Feb. 16, 1943 

